FNF UP!!!! 1st & 15th, reppin

I finally have that Lupe Fiasco comfort piece due to a good friend of mine. So this post is dedicated to the man who is bringing back that real Hip Hop, FNF UP!!!

FOOD & LIQUOR Comfort Piece

1. Intro

2. Real (f/. Sarah Green) --This song is a great way to start off "Food & Liqour". Over a bass heavy intriguing beat, Lupe raps about everyne wanting something "REAL", something that they can feel, which can be interpreted anyway you want it to be, but if you listen closely, the song is about hard times and reality. A great message for a song and still a good way to start off the album.

8/10

3. Just Might Be OK (f/ Gemini) --For those who had the original leak of "Food & Liqour", this was easily the best song on the CD. Lupe cements his amazing storytelling ability with this song, telling a story about a young man who hustles on the street to help his mother survive due to poverty. It's one of the more politically challenging songs on the album, a definite recommendation cuz many people can relate to this song.

9/10

4. Kick, Push --Really, this song makes the CD for me. Sure, I don't know how to, ain't interested in learning and NEVER will skateboard, but Lupe's vivid storytelling is almost at it's peak with this song. Who else can make a song about skateboarding and do a good job at it? Not my favorite song, but it isn't bad at all.

8/10

5. I Gotcha --Now really, I wasn't sure about this being the second single. I mean; SURE, it's fun and catchy but it's really the only song on his album that doesn't have a real meaning. It's upbeat, and the Neptunes production is amazing on this song, but after a while, it can either get repetitive or wear off on you. But it's one of the more commercial songs on the album,and got some radio airplay, so it's still good.

7.5/10 {6.5}

6. The Instrumental (f/ Jonah Matranga) --Again, this song was on the original leak of the album, and it's quite amazing. For those who haven't realized this by now, the song is about a guy who believes everything he sees on television, and the television pretty much has the lock & key on his life. It's a really strong song on the album.

8.5/10

7. He Say She Say (f/ Sarah Green / Gemini) --This song might hit close to home for some people because it can be interpreted many ways. The song is about a boy who's father is not around at all, and his mother tries to do the best she can to raise him. Really, with Sarah Green & Gemini's amazing vocals and Lupe's obviously already great storytelling, one could say that this is one of the album highlights....? {Editor's Note: The female singing sounds alot like Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child, being the fan that I am. I wish it was Michelle cuz this would beat Daydreamin as my favorite *wink to all my fellow DC3/Michelle fans*}

9/10 {9.5}

8. Sunshine --Another song from the original leak, but the production has been tweaked a bit. This song is the most catchy song on the album. Lupe cleverly delivers a song about finding love in the club without degrading women in any way, shape, or form. This song seriously should be considered as a single in the future. With the right marketing, it could be a great single.

9/10

9. Daydreamin' (f/Jill Scott) --One of the most relaxed songs on the album with a old school feel to it, Lupe effortlessly raps about many different daydreams with a sick flow, and the chorus is blessed with the soulful vocals of the ever talented Jill scott. This already is a single, so I can't recommend it to be one.

8/10 {10}

10. The Cool --This is the second best song on Food & Liqour. Can't really be described, but anyone who hears it would probably agree. It's sort of sad in a funny ironic way. Sorry if this isn't helping much. But a definite recommendation from me.

10/10

11. Hurt Me Soul --One of my favorite songs from the original leak. In a way it's sort of a auto-biography of how Lupe grew up, and some political issues from the past, and now present. This song may be good, but it sort of in a way slows down the movement that was building up for the album, as in my opinion, it's one of the weaker tracks now.

7/10 {8}

12. Pressure (f/ Jay-Z) --*cough* SINGLE...? Sure, Jay-Z stayed retired for like 3 minutes, and it wasn't long enough for some of us. But still, this song right here is amazing. Not only is it Jay-Z in his best going directly at Lupe (who doesn't do a bad job of attempting to match Jay's rhymes) and it's really just amazing. If Jay-Z didn't have a album coming out soon, this could DEFINENTLY be the third/fourth single.

10/10

13. American Terrorist (f/ Matthew Santos) --The most controversial song on the CD. This song is so controversial because many people don't know that Lupe Fiasco is muslim. With that being said, this story is about as a muslim how they felt they were being interpreted during the 9/11 atacks, different social stereotypes, and how things would have been different had it had been another culture. Definently controversial and a touchy song subject matter, but with great storytelling ability, this song is definently good. Even if your not a muslim or one of the stereotypes listed in the song.

8.5/10 {10}

14. The Emperor's Soundtrack --I sorta can't get into this song like I do with the others for some reason. I don't know; it's not that I don't like it, it's just that it's not a song I can imagine myself listening to over and over. It's a good song indeed, but it's far from the best song on the CD. Lupe's delivery is amazing, but anyone who has heard the original leak would know; "Gametime" would have been better. Still, "The Emperor's Soundtrack" is better than some of the stuff on the first leak, and a lot of pointless rap songs out there today.

7/10

15. Kick, Push II --Alright. So why was the beat changed? The original "Kick Push II" was easily a 10/10. The dark, intriguing feel it had was amazing; but with a new beat, the song doesn't have the same mysterious feel to it. Lupe's amazing storytelling and flow both peak again, but the new production almosts throws this song off.

7/10

16. Outro --Who in the HELL does a 12 minute outro.......?

Overall Score: 8.5/10 (B)
Overall Opinion: This CD is a definite must buy for a die-hard hip hop fan. With amazing songs such as "The Cool", "Pressure", "Daydream", and "Sunshine", this CD is definently a CD that should not be overlooked. Expect great things from Lupe fiasco in the future; bringing Hip Hop back to where it should be.

*{ } are the editor's rankings

-----------written by: B. Moten courtesy of The Comfort Zone

Here are the bonus Lupe tracks from F&L:

Carrera Lu
http://www.rogepost.com/dn/v35k/Lupe+Fiasco+-+Carrera+Lu.mp3

Titled
http://www.rogepost.com/dn/3brf/Lupe+Fiasco+-+Tilted.mp3

What It Do
http://www.rogepost.com/dn/zlma/Lupe+Fiasco+-+What+It+Do.mp3

Thanks again B, your a timesaver. Anytime you wanna do another review just holla at me.